DSHS Support for Meaningful Use of EHRs

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is taking steps to actively participate in the stages of Meaningful Use (MU) as they are defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. Texas is also collaborating with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure ongoing alignment with national standards and recommendations.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is supporting submission requirements for public health reporting as identified in the stages of Meaningful Use (MU) defined in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. DSHS is collaborating with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure ongoing alignment with national standards and recommendations.

Stage 1 Meaningful Use: DSHS is currently accepting data for both the Immunizations and Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) Programs.

Stage 2 Meaningful Use: DSHS will be prepared to support the submission of Immunizations and ELR data from Eligible Hospitals (EHs) by October 1, 2013, and Immunizations and Cancer Registry data from Eligible Professionals (EPs) by January 1, 2014. Plans for a statewide syndromic surveillance system are currently being developed. Some geographic areas in Texas currently have local syndromic surveillance registries. Providers served by these registries may report data to them.

Specific program information on Stages 1 and 2 MU public health reporting: